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Doctorate of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program

Indiana Wesleyan University is proud to announce an entry-level Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program, housed within the School of Health Sciences. This degree program will be headed by Douglas Morris, PhD, OTR/L. He brings over 15 years of academic experience to this position. Under his leadership, the new OTD program has been granted full Candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). All classes will be taught in the new $42.8 million dollar Sciences and Nursing Building.

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, Melissa Khosla, OTD, OTR graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University as an undergraduate, continuing on to complete a master’s degree in Child Development from Erikson Institute and a doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She has worked with children and families in various settings ranging from home-health to leading support groups for parents of children with disabilities, and most recently spent time in a skilled-nursing facility. Melissa’s passion is encouraging and supporting families as they achieve life balance through traditional and complementary therapies.

The Vision and Mission of the OTD Program

The vision of the Indiana Wesleyan University Occupational Therapy Program is to glorify God by changing the world of healthcare through the preparation of students who fully embrace the art and science of the occupational therapy, thus enabling graduates to provide compassionate, creative, ethical, and evidence-based services in an increasingly diverse and technologically advanced world.

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Program is to provide a Christ-centered curriculum to educate practitioners who will collaborate interprofessionally to promote client-centered, occupation-based practice and provide servant leadership within their communities. We value an active learning environment that fosters the holistic personal and professional development of students, faculty, and community members.

Accreditation Process of OTD

The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) has developed standards for doctoral-level programs. The curriculum of the OTD program has been designed with those standards in mind. IWU has been granted candidacy status through ACOTE. Following an on-site accreditation visit from an ACOTE review team in the spring of 2017, ACOTE will make a decision regarding accreditation of the program. Once accreditation of the program has been obtained, graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be an Occupational Therapist, Registered (OTR). In addition, most states require licensure in order to practice; however, state licenses are usually based on the results of the NBCOT Certification Examination. Note that a felony conviction may affect a graduate’s ability to sit for the NBCOT certification examination or attain state licensure.

The Higher Learning Commission conducted their regional accreditation visit on August 18 and 19, 2014 and granted approval for the OTD program.

OTD Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the OTD program, graduates will demonstrate competence in the following areas:

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Graduates of the Indiana Wesleyan University OTD program will change the world through servant leadership skills. This leadership will be evident through active involvement in, and service to local, state, and national occupational therapy and related health professions organizations.

MORAL CHARACTER: Graduates of the OTD program will work to change the world by addressing individual, institutional, and societal issues of marginalized communities and populations in order to promote occupational justice. Graduates will consistently articulate and demonstrate ethical, Christ-like attitudes, values, and worldview in their professional behaviors.

SCHOLARSHIP/RESEARCH: Graduates of the OTD program will change the world by increasing the body of knowledge in occupational therapy practice. They will conduct scholarly research guided by their personal conviction for critical thinking and lifelong learning. Graduates will disseminate their scholarship through interdisciplinary professional presentations and/or publications that will further the profession of occupational therapy and the health and well-being of the communities in which they practice.

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE: Graduates of the OTD program will have unique exposure to the occupational issues faced by diverse populations and communities through practical experience gained in a mission trip which is an integral part of the curriculum model. Graduates will be better prepared to address the occupational needs of culturally and socioeconomically diverse communities as a result of this experience.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE: Graduates of the OTD program will correctly evaluate, synthesize, and apply occupational therapy scientific knowledge in such a way as to create effective intervention programs and/or protocols that are culturally inclusive and client-centered.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY: Graduates of the OTD program will successfully utilize theoretical models and practice frameworks when developing systems for the delivery of occupational therapy services. Graduates will successfully integrate theoretical principles of the profession into programs that meet the occupational needs of the communities and populations in which they practice.

ADVOCACY: Graduates of the OTD program will passionately and effectively influence the world of occupational therapy in a positive manner by advocating on behalf of rehabilitation consumers and professional organizations dedicated to the provision of occupational therapy. Graduates will further serve the profession by engaging in meaningful educational programs to promote occupational therapy and the needs of consumers before healthcare policy makers.

RESIDENCY PROJECT: Graduates of the OTD program will successfully complete an “Advanced Experiential Component” project as part of the residency course. Each student project will demonstrate advanced-practice competency in the student’s chosen specialty area of occupational therapy practice. The residency project also includes participation in a capstone course investigating, from the Christian worldview, the disability culture and the role of suffering.